One of the most well-known work from this period, the 9th Symphony, represents very well the inner turmoil of the composer and is very characteristic of other work published during this Late period. Many historians also consider this symphony to be the greatest piece of music to be ever written (Cook, 1993). It also happened to be the very first symphony using voices; the chorus can be heard in the fourth movement, referred to as 'Ode to Joy'. This symphony is also a great example of how Beethoven influenced the course of music history. During the Classical period, symphonies usually followed a very strict form in which the slow movement (the second movement) before the scherzo movement (the third movement). However, Beethoven strived to push the boundaries and, as a composer who successfully crossed over from the Classical era to the Romantic era, forms had to be altered. One of the ideologies of the Romantic period was that form should not be the leading characteristic of music and art. Thus, in Symphony no.9, the slow movement happens to be placed after the scherzo. This symphony is also a unique example of contrapuntal and formal complexity (Biography.com, 2012). Other work from the Late period include notably Missa Solemnis and the String Quartet no.14, which are both characterized by an impressive number of modulations and great dynamic constrasts. The 14th String Quartet is also highly unique in its genre, as it includes seven different movements played one after the other without pausing between each as customary.

In my opinion, his piano pieces -- particularly the sonatas -- are some of the most stimulating piano work to listen to. The ensemble of his work can also not be denied, as he wrote many pieces who influenced music history. While many composers are classified as being either 'Classical' or 'Romantic', Beethoven straddled both periods and pushed the boundaries of classical forms, making him one of the leaders of the Romantic Movement. I feel very strongly about the fact that he wrote some of his best work -- and some of the best work in music history -- while not being able to hear a single note, which is only a testimonial to his superhuman genius. I love the conflicting dynamics that can often be found in Beethoven's work and I also admire the dramatic penchant of the piano sonatas. I certainly would have loved to hear more of Beethoven and see how much further he could have pushed the boundaries should he have lived longer.